Red Sox sign former Indians center fielder Grady Sizemore

Wednesday

Jan 22, 2014 at 6:00 AMJan 23, 2014 at 12:42 AM

The Red Sox signed Grady Sizemore, the former Cleveland Indians center fielder who hasn't played in the major leagues since 2011. The 31-year-old Sizemore signed for a base salary of $750,000. He could earn up to $6 million.

If healthy, Sizemore would compete for playing time in center field with rookie Jackie Bradley Jr. in spring training.

Sizemore hit .279 with an .861 OPS over the first five years of his career, making the All-Star team three times and earning two Gold Gloves for the Indians. He had 111 home runs and 117 stolen bases in that stretch.

But a series of injuries sent his career into a spiral. Sizemore played in 210 games from 2009-11, hitting .234.

Sizemore has had surgery to his left elbow, left knee, right knee and back. He also twice required surgery to repair a hernia. His last game was Sept. 22, 2011, with Cleveland.

At the height of his career, Sizemore was a leadoff hitter with power and speed who played premier defense in center. Whether he can challenge Bradley remains to be seen. But Sizemore has been working out in Arizona this winter and drew interest from several teams.

The Red Sox have a roster jam in the outfield with Bradley, Sizemore, Mike Carp, Daniel Nava, Jonny Gomes and Shane Victorino. Bradley and Sizemore are left-handed hitters, so the Sox do not envision a platoon in center.

Other than occasional games as the designated hitter, Sizemore has played only center field in his major league career.

To make room on the 40-man roster, the Red Sox designated right-handed reliever Brayan Villarreal for assignment.

Villarreal was obtained from Detroit in the three-team deal that centered around Jake Peavy and Jose Iglesias. In his only appearance with the Red Sox, on Aug. 20 in San Francisco, Villarreal entered the game with the bases loaded and two outs in the ninth inning and walked in the winning run on four pitches.